School Times

Children are asked to be at school no later than 8.55am each morning but not before 8.30am. A staff member commences supervision of the school grounds at 8.30am.

Lunch Arrangements

Students are supervised by teaching staff for 10 minutes whilst eating. Staff on duty, supervise the grounds during play times.

Punctuality

Children need the opportunity to meet their friends prior to the commencement of class each day. We encourage all students to be at school prior to 8.55am. Repeated lateness interferes with the child’s progress each day.

Dismissal

Students are dismissed at 3.30pm. At the end of the day a bell sounds at 3.25pm for children to prepare for dismissal before the final bell sounds at 3.30pm.

End of Term Dismissal

School is dismissed at 2.30pm on the last day of each term.Except for the last day of the school year where children finish at 3.30pm.

School Assembly

This year Assembly is held Monday each fortnight at 3.00pm. This will start on Week 2 (01/02/2016) and will continue on every even school week (2,4,6, etc.) Parents are most welcome to attend.

Absence from School

Children are expected to attend school every day unless there is a reasonable excuse for non-attendance. If your child is absent from school parents must telephone the school before 9.00am. On your child’s return to school, parents are required to complete and send an ‘Absence Note’ (available from the office/website).

Change of Contact Details

Please ensure that you notify the school of any change of address, phone numbers, work arrangements etc. This is very important if the school needs to contact you urgently.

Term Dates 2016

Term 1

27th January (Tchrs Start)

28th January (Chrn Start)

10th February (Ash Wed)

24th March14th March (Labor Day)

25th March Good Friday27th March Easter Sunday

Term 2

11th April25th April Anzac Day Holiday

24th June13th June (Queens Birthday)

Term 3

11th July

16th September

Term 4

3rd October

20th December

Visitors to School

When visiting the school during school hours for purposes of delivering messages, collecting children for appointments etc, parents should first call at the office. In this way the school and classroom organisation is not interrupted. Parents visiting or helping in the school during school hours must sign the Visitor Sign-In Book on arrival and departure. The Visitor Sign-In Book is located in the foyer at the front of the Office.

Change of After School Arrangements

If you need to change after school arrangements for your child you will need to contact the office. If possible, parents are advised to ring prior to 3.00pm. The office can be very busy after this time and this will he

lp ensure that your child gets your message.

School Banking

Students are encouraged to open a savings account with the Commonwealth Bank or Bendigo Bank. Bank books are sent to the office via the classroom basket each week where they are collected and money banked.

Transfer to Another School

If you intend to leave the school and transfer your child to another, please notify the Principal and obtain the necessary transfer documents for your child.

2016 School Fees

School fees are set each year. They cover tuition, stationery, intensive swimming program and local excursions. This varies from year to year according to the excursion for the classes. The Capital Levy component is to assist the school in meeting capital development including buildings and computer technology. It is a directive of the St. Monica’s School Board that parents use the direct debit system for the payment of school fees. This has proved most successful in past years and we hope to increase the number of users in the coming year. The fortnightly/monthly payments commence as soon as possible after the commencement of the school year. Direct debit payments are deducted from your nominated bank account on a Friday. It is expected that those not using the direct debit system pay their school fees in advance. Parents experiencing difficulty in making payment should contact the Principal to discuss payment options.

Direct debit Request forms are available from the office/website, and also at the following link:

Working Bees

The School has Working Bees during the year. These are specifically for the general maintenance and upkeep of the school grounds. These are held on a Saturday or Sunday. Families are asked to attend one of the Working Bees.

Camps & Excursions

Parents will be notified with details and cost of any excursion or camp organised throughout the year by the classroom teachers. This fee is disclosed on the first fee statement.

Classroom Supplies

Supplies used in the classroom, such as work books, pencils, rulers, erasers, etc are provided by the school with the cost being covered by the school fees. Students will need to supply an art smock and library bag. Library bags may be purchased from the Uniform Shop.

Smoke Free Zone

All areas of Saint Monica’s Primary School are SMOKE FREE ZONES. The smoke free policy is available to read at the school.

Maintenance of Saint Monica’s

The School Board meets regularly and part of their responsibility is to ensure that the school is properly maintained. If you notice anything at school that might require attention, please inform the principal or make an entry in the Hazard Alert Register at the front office.

Catholic Schools Network

Saint Monica’s belongs to the Catholic Education Goldfields, which includes the following schools:

The Sandhurst Catholic Education Office and Schools acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which their Offices and Schools are built. We commit to working in partnership with Aboriginal people for reconciliation and justice.